Recoating power running board step pad?

[USMCBuckWild]

When I bought my expy the “dealer” had sprayed down the ribbed black pad portion of the running board with tire shine. It was super slippery (I washed it off best I could) and is now faded and still slippery when wet. I have several orthopedic issues and slipping on the step when wet will be inherently bad for my health.

I have been contemplating removing the steps, stripping the ribbed step pad and spraying with a “rubberized bed coating” and adding a “traction aide” (sprinkling play sand on while the bed coating is wet).

Thoughts?

Any other ideas?

 

[deweysmith]

I think this is a good idea, but they make spray step coating that might be more suited for this. I think the sprinkling sand would be too much. Maybe something like this?

Mine has the coating rubbed off entirely on the driver's side, I've been thinking about trying a black paint or something covered with that anti-slip spray, but I haven't done anything yet.

Interested to see how yours turns out.

 

[USMCBuckWild]

I think this is a good idea, but they make spray step coating that might be more suited for this. I think the sprinkling sand would be too much. Maybe something like this?

Mine has the coating rubbed off entirely on the driver's side, I've been thinking about trying a black paint or something covered with that anti-slip spray, but I haven't done anything yet.

Interested to see how yours turns out.

Interesting. Wonder how much of a traction aide it adds.

I thought about the play sand because that is what is used in marine paint as well as deck coatings as a traction aide. Figured it was a cheap and readily available remedy. Have seen people cup a DRY handful of sand and use the air nozzle from a compressor to spray it onto steps.

 

[deweysmith]

It would work, but it's very rough. I guess I wouldn't do it because my kids use the running board to climb in and they like to slip and play sand would turn a mild bruise into a bruise with a nice scrape to go along with it.

 

[USMCBuckWild]

It would work, but it's very rough. I guess I wouldn't do it because my kids use the running board to climb in and they like to slip and play sand would turn a mild bruise into a bruise with a nice scrape to go along with it.

No kids here. It is extremely rare to have any children ride in my truck.

 

[Flexpedition]

In aviation we use brush-on and stick-on wing walk compounds and in my experience nothing out of an aerosol can ever lasts or is worth a crap. 3M makes a super durable stick-on which is used on indoor and outdoor stairwell treads as well as handicap ramps.

Grainger or any aircraft supply near an airport should have exactly what you need. Or a buddy over at USMC New River...

 

[USMCBuckWild]

In aviation we use brush-on and stick-on wing walk compounds and in my experience nothing out of an aerosol can ever lasts or is worth a crap. 3M makes a super durable stick-on which is used on indoor and outdoor stairwell treads as well as handicap ramps.

Grainger or any aircraft supply near an airport should have exactly what you need. Or a buddy over at USMC New River...

I contemplated that; the epoxybased based brush on that is used on rotary. But, it is a textured finish and no actual traction aid. The stick on stuff they use on the 53 and 22 ramps is straight crap. Constantly peeling and re-applying it. May meet NAVAIR spec but its not long term durable. My goal is to do it once and be done with it.

 

[bobmbx]

You've got several options. You can replace the running boards (solves both the fade and traction issues), apply a non-skid paint (use a brush/roller type, not spray), or clean the surface really well and apply the stick-on strips. The amount of traction you need is not high; just enough to hold your foot in place when its wet.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

When I bought my expy the “dealer” had sprayed down the ribbed black pad portion of the running board with tire shine. It was super slippery (I washed it off best I could) and is now faded and still slippery when wet. I have several orthopedic issues and slipping on the step when wet will be inherently bad for my health.

I have been contemplating removing the steps, stripping the ribbed step pad and spraying with a “rubberized bed coating” and adding a “traction aide” (sprinkling play sand on while the bed coating is wet).

Thoughts?

Any other ideas?

WeatherTech makes a dressing for their floor liners that keeps them from becoming slippery. Perhaps something like that would work. https://www.amazon.com/WeatherTech-...516820437&sr=1-1&keywords=weathertech+cleaner

 

[jeff kushner]

Have you though about wire brushing it? Running some nice, long uniform strokes with a brass brush on a drill motor might imbibe the surface with the grip that you need, failing that, it certainly prepares it for any abrasive epoxy you chose to lay.

I admit US that at first I thought "man, just wipe it clean" but your right, I don't trust my foot grip on those things in the wet or snow...too slick, and mine never got that special dealer treatment!

good luck
jeff

 

[Snolvr]

My 2013 Gator’s running board has lost it’s coating, too. I’ve used a skid-resistant product called Duraback on my boat that seems almost indestructible and was thinking of using that ... anyone have experience with it for this?

 

[Dan Braithwaite]

I coated mine with flat black Rusoleum Bed Liner (spray can version) after a wash down with acetone. Available at Lowe’s and WalMart. Mine were not the folding style but this should work. It gives a nice nonslip texture and still looks like new after a year of use and many power washes. Use one can for each running board, 1/2 can for rear bumper step and I even removed my cowl grill and spayed that. It all looks great! Be sure to cover the surrounding areas (driveway and body paint) by at least 2 to 3 feet as the spray gets out of control at times.

 

[Adieu]

When I bought my expy the “dealer” had sprayed down the ribbed black pad portion of the running board with tire shine. It was super slippery (I washed it off best I could) and is now faded and still slippery when wet. I have several orthopedic issues and slipping on the step when wet will be inherently bad for my health.

I have been contemplating removing the steps, stripping the ribbed step pad and spraying with a “rubberized bed coating” and adding a “traction aide” (sprinkling play sand on while the bed coating is wet).

Thoughts?

Any other ideas?

Rubbing alcohol + heat gun (NOT at the same time lol)

 

[Adieu]

I coated mine with flat black Rusoleum Bed Liner (spray can version) after a wash down with acetone. Available at Lowe’s and WalMart. Mine were not the folding style but this should work. It gives a nice nonslip texture and still looks like new after a year of use and many power washes. Use one can for each running board, 1/2 can for rear bumper step and I even removed my cowl grill and spayed that. It all looks great! Be sure to cover the surrounding areas (driveway and body paint) by at least 2 to 3 feet as the spray gets out of control at times.

Whaaaaat??

Rusto Liner is just heavier duty plastidip, how on earth did that hold up to people scraping boots over it???

Some i sprayed in my wheel liners peeled up after driving thru semi-flooded areas in a tropical storm...

Or did you use an older formula that's different???

 

[Dan Braithwaite]

 

[JollyRoger]

I used this also on my folding running boards after careful preparation, and it has held up reasonably well (about 2 years now), however, there is about a 3" circle worn off where I step each time. It will need done again this summer I think, and I'll look for something different to use this time. I had no prior experience with this stuff when I did it, and wish I'd found something else.

 

[USMCBuckWild]

I used this also on my folding running boards after careful preparation, and it has held up reasonably well (about 2 years now), however, there is about a 3" circle worn off where I step each time. It will need done again this summer I think, and I'll look for something different to use this time. I had no prior experience with this stuff when I did it, and wish I'd found something else.

Good to know. I haven’t gotten to this project yet